Tomiki Aikido Books.

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[Socrates]

Greetings Aikidoka,

Can someone recommend a few decent books for Tomiki/Shodokan Aikido?

I'm beginning my studies soon and would like a book or two to complement me in my training, cheers.

All the best

Alan

[PeterR]

There are three books that recently came out that should be on your list.

The English translation of the Shishida and Nariyama classic Aikido Kyogi. The english title is Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge

I reviewed it on the books section of this site and if you buy only one - this is it.

Sean Flynn produced a short book "Understanding Shodokan Aikido" specifically targetting the first few kyu grades of the Shodokan system and what one need to know. This complements the former which is much more general, covering both advanced and basic concepts.

Thirdly, and so far I've only managed to thumb a copy there is Scott Albright's Aikido and Randori (also reviewed in the books section of this site). I hear good things about the book and he is also right in your neck of the woods. Support your own.

[L. Camejo]

These are the links to the book reviews here on Aikiweb for those that Peter mentioned - http://www.aikiweb.com/books/detail.html?book_id=153 and http://www.aikiweb.com/books/detail.html?book_id=145

The only thing I can add to this list is Tomiki Aikido: Randori & Koryu No Kata by Lee Ah Loi. Here's the Amazon link for that one http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1874250200/qid%3D1040868790/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-7571044-6656742#product-details

Hope this helps.

L.C.:ai::ki:

[akiy]

Thanks to the pointer to the "Tomiki Aikido: Randori & Koryu no Kata" book, Larry. I've added it to the database here.

-- Jun

[Socrates]

Thanks for the recommendations you've given so far they're great.

Could you please let me know what you think of the following book:

'Aikido: Tradition and New Tomiki Free Fighting Method' by Nobuyoshi Higashi.

Is this one worth getting hold of as well?

I look forward to hearing from you all.

All the best

Alan :circle:

:ai: :ki: :do:

[PeterR]

I was given Higashi sensei's books by one of his ex-students after I gave a seminar at his club. Nobuyoshi Higashi is a judo God - apparently there is a huge poster of him displayed at the Kodokan throwing someone. Not so impressed with his Aikido kata (based on what the student showed me) although the best randori player in the US was an ex-student of his.

There are differences between the kata shown in the book and what is the current Shodokan dogma but this is most noticable in the Koryu Book.

However, when I opened a club in Quebec I used those books extensively as a lending reference. I think his picutre series are pretty good. I think they are very good books for what they are but just don't say to your teacher "but sensei the book says this"
Thanks for the recommendations you've given so far they're great.

Could you please let me know what you think of the following book:

'Aikido: Tradition and New Tomiki Free Fighting Method' by Nobuyoshi Higashi.

Is this one worth getting hold of as well?

[Mark Jakabcsin]

Personally my favorite book about Tomiki Aikido is Tomiki's book, "Judo and Aikido" by Kenji Tomiki. This book is long out of print but worth the effort and cash to obtain a copy. I recommend editions 4-10 since the Aikido sections is expanded. The first three editions are titled "Judo Appendix Aikido". I also recommend you not limit yourself to the Aikido section. The first 60 some pages of the text are full of valuable insight about movement and balance. I have read Tomiki's book many times and still pick-up new toughts and details each time I read it. Best place to look for this work is ebay, but it will cost you.

mark

[PeterR]

There is a dark rumour about reprints.
Personally my favorite book about Tomiki Aikido is Tomiki's book, "Judo and Aikido" by Kenji Tomiki. This book is long out of print but worth the effort and cash to obtain a copy. I recommend editions 4-10 since the Aikido sections is expanded. The first three editions are titled "Judo Appendix Aikido". I also recommend you not limit yourself to the Aikido section. The first 60 some pages of the text are full of valuable insight about movement and balance. I have read Tomiki's book many times and still pick-up new toughts and details each time I read it. Best place to look for this work is ebay, but it will cost you.

mark

[Mark Jakabcsin]

There is a dark rumour about reprints.
A reprint would be great. Please keep me informed if it ever happens. I currently own a 3rd and 4th edition and occassionally bid on other editions for some unknown reason. I have even bid on the Spanish and German editions, not sure why I can't read either. LOL. Take care.

mark

[Socrates]

Thanks for the recommendations,

I've already got that Tomiki book 'Judo & Aikido'.

I managed to pick up a copy from a charity shop a couple of years ago and it seems like I got myself a bargin as it only cost me 50p.

All the best for the New Year

Alan :circle:

[deepsoup]

Thanks for the recommendations,

I've already got that Tomiki book 'Judo & Aikido'.

I managed to pick up a copy from a charity shop a couple of years ago and it seems like I got myself a bargin as it only cost me 50p.

All the best for the New Year

Alan :circle:
Lucky, lucky, lucky! :)

My twopennyworth: Nariyama and Shishida Shihans' book is the business; if you're going to get one book thats currently available, thats definitely the one to go for.

Scott Allbright's book is good too (but I'm probably biased - he's my instructor).

Sean

x

[PeterR]

Hi Sean;

There was a bit of a mix up during the translation and at one point the names were reversed. I think this had to do with the translation projects original teams coming from Nariyama's dojo. Shishida was understandably upset, although there was absolutely no argument about the fix. I only mention this because for years I referred to it as the Nariyama book when in fact the primary author was Shishida. Nariyama contributed a whole lot and the english translation actually describes who did what. I made a mistake above also when I referred to the Japanese title as Aikido Kyogi when in fact it is "Aikido Course" not "Aikido Sport". The book is really a textbook on Aikido - as I mentioned in the review I know of at least one Aikikai Shihan that says he uses it for his High School Students.

[Mark Jakabcsin]

Thanks for the recommendations,

I've already got that Tomiki book 'Judo & Aikido'.

I managed to pick up a copy from a charity shop a couple of years ago and it seems like I got myself a bargin as it only cost me 50p.

Alan :circle:
I am very jealous. I have looked in many second hand books stores and flee markets but haven't been so lucky yet. The cheapest I have purchased the book was $75 for a 1st edition but that was about 5 years ago. Now days on ebay the 1st editions rarely sell for less than $125 and I have seen them top $150. I gave mine away as a gift so I am still in the market for a 1st edition. Take care.

mark

[L. Camejo]

Wow, didn't know that Tomiki written book was so rare. I got a copy of the 5th edition of Judo and Aikido that was collecting dust in the private library of an Aikikai dojo I visited.

I really like it for the "historical" perspective of the techniques (historical meaning that some of the techs appear somewhat different to the current Shodokan evolutions). Its the only book where I can actually see Tomiki himself doing technique.

One of my treasures, especially when I want to get a little creative with variations, esp. for kotehineri:)

On another note: I heard a rumour (not sure if true at all) that the Higashi book was based on training at Shodokan Honbu, and that it was not actually sanctioned by Shodokan as accurately representing the training method, but the guys went ahead published the book anyway.

When I first saw the book I was only a yonkyu, and even then I was not impressed by the quality of the techniques shown in the pics. You know, little technical faux pas to do with alignment, balance and stuff.

This of course is just my take on the thing. I could be both mistaken and wrong:)

Did anyone else hear about this rumour?

L.C.:ai::ki:

[Peter Goldsbury]

Hello, Happy New Year to all.

I am curious about whether there is any connection between the Shishida / Nariyama book and •�“¹˜_, Budo-Ron, written by Kenji Tomiki and edited by F Shishida. This book was first published in 1991 and reprinted in 2000. The publisher is Taishukan.

It is not a textbook, but appears to go over some of the more general issues of prewar vs. postwar budo, budo in education that the other book seems to cover.

I confess that I do not have the Shishida / Nariyama volume in either language, but Budo-Ron is available in the main Japanese language bookstore here.

[PeterR]

I'll bring a copy of both versions on the 11th. My feeling (not having seen Budo-Ron, even knowing it existed) is that probably not. It sounds like the purposes are very different.
Hello, Happy New Year to all.

I am curious about whether there is any connection between the Shishida / Nariyama book and •�“¹˜_, Budo-Ron, written by Kenji Tomiki and edited by F Shishida. This book was first published in 1991 and reprinted in 2000. The publisher is Taishukan.

It is not a textbook, but appears to go over some of the more general issues of prewar vs. postwar budo, budo in education that the other book seems to cover.

I confess that I do not have the Shishida / Nariyama volume in either language, but Budo-Ron is available in the main Japanese language bookstore here.